_To my right worshipfull master, John Paston, in haste._
[Sidenote: 1482(?) / NOV. 1]
Right reverent and worshipfull sir, in my moste umble vice, I recomaunde
me unto yow, as lowly as I can, &c. Plese you to wete, John Howes,
Alexander Qwharteyn, John Fille, with the parson and the newe myller of
Marlyngforthe, have goten Thom’ At Welles carte of Estetodenham, fermour
to myn uncle William Paston, Herry Hervy of Meelton Magna, fermour and
baly to my seide uncle, Ric. Barkers carte of the seide towne of
Meelton, late fermour, and yette is in daunger to[57-1] my seide uncle,
and William Smythes carte of Brandon juxta Bernham Broom, late fermour
and baly, and also in daunger to[57-1] my seide uncle, on Monday and
Twesday last past, caryed a wey from Merlyngforth in to the place at
Seint Edmondes in Norwich, xij. of yowr greete plankes, of the weche
they made vj. loodes, beryng a bowte the seide cartes, bowes and gleves,
for feere of takyng a wey. Sir, as for yowr servauntes of Marlyngforth,
they withholde her catell and hem selfe bothe from the coorte, and come
not within the lordship, nor make noon attornment, exept Thom’ Davy and
John Water, weche absentyng of the tenauntes is to them a greet hurt and
los, for lak of sedyng ther londes with ther wynter corn; besechyng you
for Godes sake to remembre som remedy for them.
My Lady Caltorp hath ben at Geppeswich on pilgry mache, and came homward
be my Lady of Norffolk, and ther was moche communicacion of yowr mater
be twix you and myn uncle, seyng to my Lady Caltorp, ye nede not a gonne
to London, ye myght have an ende at home; rememberyng to my seid Lady
Caltorp of the mocion that he made towchyng the maner of Sporle,
promyttyng to my lady to abyde that, and to write and seale as largely
as any man wol desire hym. And at his departyng from my lady he was not
mery, what the cauce was I wot not [but he was not mery of your
departyng].[57-2] My Lady Calthorp desireth me to write to yow to have
ende, for he intendes largely to have a peace with yow, as he seth; but
truste hym not to moche, for he is not goode.
My mother in lawe thynketh longe she here no word from you. She is in
goode heele, blissed be God, and al yowr babees also. I mervel I here no
word from you, weche greveth me ful evele; I sent you a letter be
Brasiour sone of Norwiche, wher of I here no word. No more to you at
this tyme, but Almyghty Jesu have you in Hes blissed kepyng.
Wreten at Norwich, on Allowmes Day at nyght.
Be yowr servaunt and bedewoman,